Safeguard knits up cafe kit

Oldham-based Safeguard Group had one of its most unusual customers recently when a popular Saddleworth business needed some new refrigeration units.

Sales lead Ben Ingham said: “I’d heard of Woolyknit but I wasn’t sure what it actually did and when we arrived to find a lot of people knitting I wondered why they’d called us."

Chef Anthony Byrom explained: “When the owner, Roger Shepley, decided to develop the original wool mill to include a shop, selling high quality yarns and woollen goods, it wasn’t long before he realised that a cafe would be great for business.

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“Myself and my partner Adele Taylor have worked hard to turn the Woolyknit Cafe into what it is today and we’re very proud that it’s become so successful.”

Byrom continued: “We want people to come here and have a high quality experience and we’re also a big part of the local area, supporting events and activities involving people from Saddleworth. I contacted Safeguard as I needed refrigeration that would fit into a small and specifically organised space and not only did it manage that, it incorporated serving shelves with LED lights too. I’m really pleased with what it has done for us and it was great to be able to work with a local company.”

The next stage of the development is a complete redesign of the cookline, with plans for a training kitchen and events venue.

Safeguard’s Ingham added: “I couldn’t believe that there was something at the back of a mill in Diggle that wouldn’t look out of place in city centre Manchester. We were delighted to get involved with Woolyknit and whilst I won’t be taking up knitting any time soon I am looking forward to sampling some of the food.”